Sean Smith
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2002
- Messages
- 4,925
Gee, I must have some kind of magical wonderful luck that makes both my multiple stock 1911s and customized 1911s work just fine. 
Opinions: Out of the Box vs. Tuned by a 'Smith
- Thread starter Berg01
- Start date
- Status
Good Stuff Folks,
the reason I chose the S&W 945 "out of the box" is because this is a Performance Center piece, so the gun is literally built and tuned by a Master Gunsmith at the factory. The reason I chose the BHP to be tuned is that the newer BHPs Ive seen have very heavy triggers that can really be tranformed by an action job.
We are all entitled to our $0.02 worth
the reason I chose the S&W 945 "out of the box" is because this is a Performance Center piece, so the gun is literally built and tuned by a Master Gunsmith at the factory. The reason I chose the BHP to be tuned is that the newer BHPs Ive seen have very heavy triggers that can really be tranformed by an action job.
We are all entitled to our $0.02 worth
txgolfer45
Member
Out of Box: Glock - any of them
Tuned: probably a 1911
Tuned: probably a 1911
Al Thompson
Moderator Emeritus
Sean, it is luck or good gunsmith choosing skills. I have a number of gunsmith horror stories from myself and buddies. One friend was set to fly to a nationally known handgun 'smith's town and get a warrent for theft. Luckily the 'smith was contacted by the local law and "found" the 1911 he'd "misplaced".
There's a reason I only purchase gunsmith services with a credit card.
I have a number of gunsmith horror stories from myself and buddies. One friend was set to fly to a nationally known handgun 'smith's town and get a warrent for theft. Luckily the 'smith was contacted by the local law and "found" the 1911 he'd "misplaced". There's a reason I only purchase gunsmith services with a credit card.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Tuning
Although there are many off-the-rack pistols that seem to never miss a beat, most can benefit from a little tuning for reliable function. It's really
no more than seeing to the small details. Sharp edges...tight spots...
toolmarks in critical areas, etc. Using good ammunition and good quality magazines is rule one. Keeping the pistol clean is rule two. I've had several misbehaving pistols come across my bench that were put back in
working order with nothing more than a good cleaning and oiling.
Since it's advisable to put any carry gun through its paces before
trusting it. A minimum of 200 rounds with the ammo that you plan to
carry, with the magazines that you plan to carry with the gun is also wise.
On any autopistol that I plan to carry, that minimum
is 500 rounds. Any feeding or extraction/failures beyond a 200 round
break-in are noted and re-tested with another magazine. If the
burp doesn't repeat with 5 magazines full, it's ignored unless it repeats
with other magazines.
Any failures to lock the slide on empty is ignored unless it happens
with more than one magazine in 10. If noted, that magazine is re-tested to verify whether or not it was a fluke. SLidelock isn't that much of
an issue except on the paracice range. Shooting dry in a defensive
situation is the type of thing that can get you killed. The pistol can
be reloaded with the slide in battery on a hot chamber. Take advantage
of it.
Any malfunctions noted beyond the break-in period should be addressed.
During the testing phase, the pistol should be allowed to cool every 50
rounds or so.
Most functioning issues can be straightened out without a gunsmith.
Others are best addressed by a smith unless you know your gun,
and even those can be ironed out most of the time with just a little
patience and by asking questions. If you aren't sure of how to
optimize the function of your pistol, and you may have to depend on
it to get you home, it's well worth the money to have a competent
smith have a look at it. Ask around and make sure that he or she is
experienced and knowledgeable with your particular gun.
Last...Remember that because a pistol comes home with some problems,
it doesn't mean that it should be sold or traded. Most things that go
wrong are simple, and are simple to correct. I have several 1911's
that were bought for well below what they were worth because they
"jammed"...and 15 minutes worth of tweaking straightened them out,
even through a 2500 round torture test...without cleaning.
Remember also, that even the best of them can develop issues with use.
Whenever a machine is used, things wear and things change, and these
issues are usually just as simple to set straight unless there are mechanical
timing problems. Very often, a pistol that has suddenly switched from a
pearl to a pill can be rejuvenated with a fresh set of springs.
Cheers all!
Tuner
Although there are many off-the-rack pistols that seem to never miss a beat, most can benefit from a little tuning for reliable function. It's really
no more than seeing to the small details. Sharp edges...tight spots...
toolmarks in critical areas, etc. Using good ammunition and good quality magazines is rule one. Keeping the pistol clean is rule two. I've had several misbehaving pistols come across my bench that were put back in
working order with nothing more than a good cleaning and oiling.
Since it's advisable to put any carry gun through its paces before
trusting it. A minimum of 200 rounds with the ammo that you plan to
carry, with the magazines that you plan to carry with the gun is also wise.
On any autopistol that I plan to carry, that minimum
is 500 rounds. Any feeding or extraction/failures beyond a 200 round
break-in are noted and re-tested with another magazine. If the
burp doesn't repeat with 5 magazines full, it's ignored unless it repeats
with other magazines.
Any failures to lock the slide on empty is ignored unless it happens
with more than one magazine in 10. If noted, that magazine is re-tested to verify whether or not it was a fluke. SLidelock isn't that much of
an issue except on the paracice range. Shooting dry in a defensive
situation is the type of thing that can get you killed. The pistol can
be reloaded with the slide in battery on a hot chamber. Take advantage
of it.
Any malfunctions noted beyond the break-in period should be addressed.
During the testing phase, the pistol should be allowed to cool every 50
rounds or so.
Most functioning issues can be straightened out without a gunsmith.
Others are best addressed by a smith unless you know your gun,
and even those can be ironed out most of the time with just a little
patience and by asking questions. If you aren't sure of how to
optimize the function of your pistol, and you may have to depend on
it to get you home, it's well worth the money to have a competent
smith have a look at it. Ask around and make sure that he or she is
experienced and knowledgeable with your particular gun.
Last...Remember that because a pistol comes home with some problems,
it doesn't mean that it should be sold or traded. Most things that go
wrong are simple, and are simple to correct. I have several 1911's
that were bought for well below what they were worth because they
"jammed"...and 15 minutes worth of tweaking straightened them out,
even through a 2500 round torture test...without cleaning.
Remember also, that even the best of them can develop issues with use.
Whenever a machine is used, things wear and things change, and these
issues are usually just as simple to set straight unless there are mechanical
timing problems. Very often, a pistol that has suddenly switched from a
pearl to a pill can be rejuvenated with a fresh set of springs.
Cheers all!
Tuner
Hypnogator
Member
Out-of-the-box: Anything by Sig.
Tuned: 1911-type.
Tuned: 1911-type.
- Status
